Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

Three of the Europe 2020 goals are reducing the number of Europeans living below the poverty line by 25%, in other words by 20 million people, of the 80 million currently in poverty across the European Union, raising the employment rate and reducing the number of early school leavers. How can the Taoiseach square these goals with his Government's intention of cutting social welfare payments and the minimum wage? It is hardly going to assist people getting out of poverty. How can the number of early school leavers be reduced when capitation grants to primary and secondary schools are to be reduced and third level student registration fees are to be increased? How can an IMF-EU deal and a four year plan with no job strategy or stimulus for growth raise the numbers in employment? Everything the Government is about runs contrary to the stated objectives of the Europe 2020 strategy.

See this speech in context